The Kwara State Government has proudly announced that the state currently holds the lowest child mortality rate in Nigeria, according to recent indicators from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, made this known during the First Quarterly Meeting of the Kwara State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Health Care held in Ilorin.
Elelu revealed that the state recorded a remarkable child mortality rate of two deaths per 1,000 live births, the best in the nation based on recent national demographic data.
“This data shows that Kwara leads the country in child survival outcomes,” she stated. “Improved healthcare services and skilled birth attendance have boosted public confidence in health facilities, leading to safer births and fewer child deaths from preventable causes.”
She also highlighted that Kwara State boasts the best skilled birth attendants in North Central Nigeria, an achievement she attributed to strategic government efforts to deploy trained professionals to primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the state.
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As part of its maternal and child health initiatives, the state government has distributed free delivery kits to PHCs in all 16 Local Government Areas and launched a toll-free hotline to eliminate illegal monetary demands during childbirth.
Elelu emphasized the state’s continued success in the immunization of children aged 0 to 5 years, stating that mop-up exercises are ongoing to ensure no child is left out.
However, she expressed concern over the lack of support from some fathers who prevent their wives from participating in vaccination programs. “Many mothers complain that their husbands refuse to allow them to immunize their children,” she said.
In response, Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, condemned the behavior and pledged government collaboration with local authorities to mobilize fathers and husbands to support life-saving immunization efforts.
“We will not relent in educating our communities, especially men, on the importance of immunization and maternal care,” Alabi said.
